The final chapter of Netflix’s psychological thriller “You” officially dropped. If you were wondering when Season 5 came out, it premiered in April 2025, and let’s say, it was worth the wait. You Season 5 brings Joe Goldberg’s chilling saga to a brutal, poetic end. From a shocking You Season 5 trailer to a climax that finally sees justice served, this season ties up loose ends in a way that’s as satisfying as it is unsettling.
Let’s dive into what happens in Season 5 of You, who’s in the cast of You Season 5, and how fans and critics are responding to the show’s epic conclusion.
You Season 5 Recap: What Happens to Joe Goldberg?
After five seasons of stalking, obsession, and cold-blooded murder, Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) finally gets what’s coming to him.
The You Netflix Season 5 finale doesn’t pull punches. Joe is finally arrested right in the middle of a steamy encounter with a gunshot to the groin (YIKES) and thrown behind bars. He’s charged with multiple murders, including those of Beck, Peach, and others whose lives he destroyed along the way.
Now serving multiple life sentences, Joe sits alone in prison, surrounded by nothing but fan mail, books, and his delusions of grandeur. In true Joe fashion, he still refuses to take full accountability. His chilling final words?
“Maybe the problem isn’t me. Maybe it’s you.”
Penn Badgley on Joe’s Ending: “It Had to Happen”
Penn Badgley has always been candid about Joe Goldberg’s dark nature he described Joe’s final scene as “rewarding.”
According to Badgley, it was important that Joe be recognized not just as a killer, but as a sexual predator. The fact that his downfall happens in the bedroom is no coincidence. Penn emphasized the decision to keep Joe in his underwear during the arrest, forcing viewers to see him stripped literally and figuratively of his manipulative charm.
“Take. His. Balls,” he said, describing Joe’s poetic punishment. What are your thoughts? Was it true justice?
You Season 5 Cast: Who’s In the Final Season?
The You Season 5 cast includes a mix of familiar faces and new additions. Alongside Penn Badgley’s return as Joe Goldberg, new characters emerge to challenge Joe’s twisted worldview, including Bronte, the woman who ultimately brings him down.
Here’s a quick look at the cast of You Season 5 :
Returning Cast:
- Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg/Jonathan Moore: The show’s central character, a charming yet deeply disturbed stalker and serial killer.
- Charlotte Ritchie as Kate Galvin: Joe’s partner from Season 4; her role in Season 5 is more limited but significant.
- Tilly Keeper as Lady Phoebe: Returns briefly to provide closure to her storyline from Season 4.
- Lukas Gage as Adam Pratt: Flashbacks and psychological sequences bring him back in a limited role.
New Cast Members in Season 5:
- Anna Camp as Bronte: A smart, confident journalist who uncovers Joe’s dark past and plays a major role in his downfall.
- Keeley Hawes as Detective Naomi Wolfe: A relentless investigator tracking Joe, instrumental in building the case against him.
- Peter Gadiot as Dr. Theo Kemp: A forensic psychologist who analyzes Joe’s behavior and helps the legal case.
- Dylan Arnold as Theo Engler: Makes a surprise reappearance, his connection to past victims ties into Joe’s capture.
Cameos & Flashback Appearances:
- Elizabeth Lail as Guinevere Beck (flashback/dream sequence)
- Victoria Pedretti as Love Quinn (flashback/voiceover)
- Shay Mitchell as Peach Salinger (archive footage/flashback)
- Jenna Ortega as Ellie Alves (brief appearance)
You Season 5 Release Date and Episodes
The final season was released on April 26, 2025, exclusively on Netflix. The season was split into two parts, with the final episodes airing at the end of the month.
Wondering how many episodes are in You Season 5? The fifth season consists of 10 tightly written episodes, each packed with twists and callbacks to the show’s earlier seasons.
If you haven’t watched yet, now’s the time to catch up on You, Netflix Season 5. Just prepare yourself for one of the most satisfying endings in recent TV history.
You Season 5 Review: Did the Finale Deliver?
So, how does the finale hold up?
This You Season 5 review is overwhelmingly positive. Fans and critics alike have called it a “darkly poetic” end to Joe Goldberg’s reign of terror. By placing Joe in prison rather than killing him off, the show subverts expectations and digs deeper into the themes of justice and accountability.
“It would have been too easy to kill him,” Penn Badgley remarked and many viewers agreed. The show’s creators chose instead to confront the why behind Joe’s actions, making viewers question what kind of society enables a person like Joe to thrive.
The final voiceover, with Joe reflecting on the fan mail he receives from admirers even in jail, is a powerful commentary on how we romanticize evil in the media.
Also Read: Freakier Friday: Everything You Need to Know
The End of a Killer Era
You Season 5 ends not with a bang, but with poetic justice and a deep sigh of relief from viewers who’ve spent years watching Joe manipulate, murder, and monologue his way out of every situation.
This time, though, there’s no escape.
Even if you were Team Joe or counted the days until his downfall, the final season delivers exactly what it promised: a satisfying end to one of TV’s most complicated villains.
Fan Queries
When does You Season 5 come out?
It came out on April 26, 2025, on Netflix.
Is You Season 5 the final season?
Yes. Season 5 is the conclusion of Joe Goldberg’s story.
Is there a You Season 5 trailer?
Yes. The official You Season 5 trailer dropped in early April 2025 and teased Joe’s unraveling.
Who’s in the You Season 5 cast?
Penn Badgley returns as Joe Goldberg, with new and returning cast members who deliver powerful performances.
